The Scott Robertson clause which should have Scotland on high alert amid Gregor Townsend doubts
Former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and under pressure Scotland boss Gregor Townsend.
Scott Robertson could return to Test rugby later this year after a report suggested that the former All Blacks boss will not necessarily be barred from taking a job at another tier one nation.
The 51-year-old was sacked last month following a mixed couple of years in charge of the three-time world champions and as part of the separation agreement, New Zealand Rugby stated that he was prevented from taking certain roles for 12 months.
“He has some constraints on who he can work for, and that lasts for a period,” NZ Rugby chair David Kirk said. “There are a number of international countries. Mostly the top-tier one countries for about a year.”
Robertson’s contract clause
That presumably meant the Rugby Championship and Six Nations sides, given that they are the biggest threat to the All Blacks but, according to the New Zealand Herald, there is a slight loophole in the clause.
The outlet have claimed that “despite previous comments from NZR”, Robertson can “start coaching other nations once the All Blacks have played them this year”.
It implies that after New Zealand have taken on a certain opponent, he would technically be free to join them.
Considering the All Blacks face pretty much every top nation in 2026 due to the new Nations Championship, it opens up a range of possibilities.
Usually, New Zealand may only face one country in July as the northern hemisphere sides tour the south in the mid-year series, but they will now face three.
The All Blacks open their Test season with a game against France before facing Italy and Ireland in the same month, which conceivably means that Robertson could join following their respective matches.
With Fabien Galthie and Andy Farrell both under pressure, it certainly gives FFR and the IRFU a solid contingency plan, even if they are unlikely to make a change at that point in time.
Scotland the country to watch
But Scotland is the country everyone is watching closely, especially given what occurred in the Six Nations at the weekend.
Italy’s stunning victory over the Scots in Rome has put severe doubts on Gregor Townsend’s future. It already felt like a make-or-break tournament for the head coach, having presided over a number of underwhelming campaigns and that 18-15 defeat has already put him on the back foot.
If a coach is going to depart after the Six Nations, it will most likely be Townsend, but the All Blacks don’t play Scotland until November, which is a long time to wait for the Scottish Rugby Union.
They could of course have an interim in place until then, but in Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith, the SRU have a ready-made replacement.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Smith has ambitions to return to the Test arena and was seemingly being lined up to take over from Townsend after the Rugby World Cup but, if a change is made earlier, the South African would be the clear favourite for the role.
Ultimately, post-World Cup still seems like the best option for both the respective unions and Robertson if he chooses to remain at international level, but there could be offers there – even as an assistant – should the Crusaders legend want it, and it is something Scotland should explore.
READ MORE: ‘Well, I want to be’ – Gregor Townsend addresses Scotland future as pressure mounts
